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Tyler Perry Is Paying For The Funeral Of Rayshard Brooks

Tyler Perry Is Paying For The Funeral Of Rayshard Brooks

A lawyer working on behalf of Rayshard's family said the actor and producer offered to cover the costs

Claire Reid

Claire Reid

Actor and producer Tyler Perry will pay for the funeral of Rayshard Brooks, the black man who was shot and killed by police in Atlanta last week.

L. Chris Stewart, a lawyer, working on behalf of the Brooks' family announced the news during a press conference saying: "We want to thank and acknowledge Tyler Perry, who we spoke with, who will be taking care of the funeral for the family.

"It's support like that and it's people who are actually in this community - that love the community, that want healing and families like this to never have to go through something like this - to step forward."

PA

According to PEOPLE, Perry has also offered to pay for Brooks' four children's college education.

An unnamed source told the outlet that Perry 'spoke to Rayshard's family and wanted to do something to help' adding that 'his heart goes out to the family during this tragic time'.

Unarmed Brooks was shot three times while in a Wendy's parking lot on Friday night - he was taken to hospital where he died following surgery.

Brooks had allegedly fallen asleep in his car in the drive-thru lane. Police gave Brooks a sobriety test, which he failed. According to CNN, the 27-year-old then 'resisted arrest and struggled with officers' before he was shot.

Following Brooks' death, protesters flooded the streets of Atlanta, surrounding the Wendy's where he was shot before making their way to a nearby interstate and bringing traffic to a standstill.

PA

Perry is yet to comment publicly on the death of Brooks but has spoken previously about the death of George Floyd.

Posting on social media, Perry said Floyd's killing had caused him to have 'very high level conversations with people who don't look like me' and 'people who may not believe what I believe'.

He wrote: "I had conversations with people who don't know what it's like to be Black in America but were willing to listen White people who are Republicans and Democrats, with different opinions, different views, and different ideas and strategies on how to stop this.

"I also spoke to George Floyd's immediate family and tried to speak comfort in this moment. I have to tell you - they are adamant in their call for peaceful protest.

"I want you to know that while some of us are protesting out there, others of us have the gift of being able to pick up the phone and go straight to the people who have the power with the stroke of a pen to effect change."

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Celebrity, US News